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Coaching Changes — La Joya

La Joya has hired Ray Trdla as their new head coach and athletic coordinator. He will replace Leonel Casas who was reassigned after 3 seasons with the Coyotes.

Casa had just a 10-23 record during his 3 seasons at La Joya. His teams did not make the playoffs for the last two seasons and finished 1-9 in 2009. He took over a team in 2007 that went 25-12 the previous 3 seasons. This was the second time that Casas was the head coach at La Joya. From 1981-1987 his teams were 37-32. He ends his La Joya career with a record of 47-55 which is 2 wins away from being the all-time win leader in school history. Casa also coached at Mercedes from 1990 to 1998. His record with the Tigers was 59-37. His other positions have been the athletic director at La Joya 1991-2001 and then athletic director at Mission from 2002-2007.

Trdla arrives at La Joya from McAllen Memorial where he has coached for the past 12 years. The last 6 seasons he has been their Defensive Coordinator.

The will be a tough turn around for Trdla. The Coyotes were hurt in depth and talent by the spilt of La Joya ISD into three high schools two years ago (La Joya Palmview and La Joya Juarez-Lincoln). They have not made the playoffs now since 2007 and are on a 4 year losing streak. 2009 was the schools worst season since 1990. They are part of District 30-5A which includes Donna, La Joya Palmview, McAllen, McAllen Memorial, McAllen Rowe, Mission and Mission Sharyland.

ALL-TIME WINNINGEST COACHES AT LA JOYA
YEARS W L T PCT
Oscar Villasenor 2001-2006 48- 21- 0 .696
Leonel Casas 1981-1987, 2007-2009 47- 55- 0 .461
Mario Pena 1990-1996 35- 36- 3 .493

By: Michael Wright
Lone Star Gridiron
www.lonestargridiron.com

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